Yarn-dyeing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Yarn-dyeing apparatus having a dye head through which a plurality of threads or yarns, that are highly absorbent, are passed, is provided with at least two dye-dispersing tanks and with flow valve means to selectively conduct liquid dye from said tanks to a dye chamber in said head to be absorbed by threads or yarns passing transversely therethrough. Each tank is provided with a float that, according to the level of dye therein, controls flow of dye from replenishing reservoirs to the respective tanks. The valve means is controlled by cams, solenoids, or similar program-type means and operative to differently color the threads or yarns along different longitudinal portions thereof and by preselected color schemes.

United States Patent [72] Inventors John L. Getz San Pedro; Ralph L. Johnson, San Gabriel, both of, Calif. [21 I Appl. No. 4,504 [22] Filed Jan. 21, 1970 [45] Patented Aug. 17, 1971 I 73 l Assignec Advance Dye Systems Los Angeles, Calif.

[54] YARN-DYEING APPARATUS Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Altorney- Hyman Jackman ABSTRACT: Yarn-dyeing apparatus having a dye head through which a plurality of threads or yarns, that are highly absorbent, are passed, is provided with at least two dyedispersing tanks and with flow valve means to selectively conduct liquid dye from said tanks to a dye chamber in said head to be absorbed by threads or yams passing transversely therethrough. Each tank is provided with a float that, accord ing to the level of dye therein, controls flow of dye from replenishing reservoirs to the respective tanks. The valve means is controlled by cams, solenoids, or similar programtype means and operative to differently color the threads or yarns along different longitudinal portions thereof and by preselected color schemes.

PATENTED AUG] 71971 SHEET 2 [IF 2 PROGRAM JUf/IV L GETFVENTORS A i/$1 Pf/L JOHAUOA/ i Arrow/5y YARN-DYEING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The variegated coloring of threads and yarns prior to incorporation thereof in carpets or similar heavy-woven fabrics, either directly or first winding the same on bobbins.

2. Description of the Prior Art Hank dyeing, package dyeing, warp dyeing, and rope dyeing are known. All of these methods produce yams that, according to the efficiency of the apparatus employed, are uniformly colored in contradistinction to the variegated color resulting from the present improvements.

- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A plurality of reservoirs, each containing a supply of liquid, each dye of a different color; means to distribute outlet flows of dyes from the respective reservoirs to a common dye chamber; and means to feed a plurality of dry strands of thread or yarn to pass the same through said dye chamber. A plurality of dye-storing tanks, one for replenishing each reservoir, and float-operated valve means to control replenishing flow from the storing tanks to the respective reservoirs to maintain a minimum level of dye in each reservoir.

The invention has the following objects:

1. To provide high-speed thread or yarn dyeing (has been tested to 3000 inches per minute).

2. To provide substantially universal control of lengths and variations of the color applications along different longitudinal portions of the threads or yarns fed through the apparatus. I

3. To provide for selective and separate premixing of one or more of the dye colors.

4. To enable intermixing the three basic colors to provide a wide range of variegated colors of thread or yarn portions.

5. To provide mixed dye material capable of being metered or regulated to achieve uniformity of color when applied to the threads or yarns.

6. To provide control of length of differently colored sections of threads or yarns and individual feed to different nee dles of a carpet or comparable weaving loom, enabling control of the pattern or design required.

This invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefor, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description, which based on the accompanying drawings. However, said drawings merely show, and the following specification merely describes, preferred embodiments of the present invention, which are given by way of illustration or example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

FIG. I is a cross-sectional view of yarn-dyeing apparatus showing one preferred form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a generally horizontal and fragmentary sectional view as taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views, respectively showing two different means for operating flow-controlling valves shown in Fig. 11.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view as taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In this description and in the appended claims, the term yarn is intended to include any threads, filaments, cords and the like, that are formed either of natural or synthetic fibers and have dye-absorbing properties. Examples of such yarn are cotton, wool, flax and synthetics as nylon, acrylics, dacron, polyesters, etc.

The present apparatus, as shown in Figs. l to 5, comprises, generally, a dye head 10 provided with a plurality of dye reservoirs 11, in this case four, designated 12, 13, 14 and 15; a similar plurality of flow-control valve means 16 for said reservoirs, each valve of said means being respectively designated 17, I8, 19 and 20; banks of flow passages 21, 22, 23 and 24 which are communicated with or closed to flow from the reservoirs 12, 13, 14 and 15, according to the adjusted open or closed positions of the valves 16; a bank of common passages 25 into which the mentioned banks of passages discharge; a plurality of dye chambers 26 receptive of the flow of dye from the passages 25; and a generally transverse plurality of yarnguiding inlet and outlet bores 27 and 28 for guiding a bank of yarns 29 through said dye chambers.

While the number of reservoirs 11 may vary, the four shown provide for dyes of the primary colors red, yellow and blue, and a value liquid. Upon opening of one of the valves 16 controlling flow from the reservoir it controls, the dye from the reservoir will be conducted to the passages 25 and into the dye chamber 26 to be absorbed by yarns 29 being drawn in the direction of the arrow 30 through said chambers at any desired speed, 3000 inches per minute having been achieved.

By opening any two of the valves 16 controlling flow from two of the dye-containing reservoirs, or opening all three of the valves controlling the three dye-containing reservoirs, the dye chamber will receive mixtures of liquid dyes that vary in terms of the primary colors, according to the mixture and the relative amounts of the primary color dyes released to flow to the dye chambers.

The fourth or value-controlling valve and the banks of passages connecting the reservoir containing said value liquid with the bank of dye chambers 26, mixes said liquid with a primary color or a mixture ofcolors, as the case may be.

The valve means 16 may be controlled in various ways: manually, by cam means, as suggested in Fig. 4; electrically, as indicated in Fig. 5; as well as by programmed means that will fully or partly open one or more valves in predetermined sequences and for prearranged time durations, to achieve the color values desired. The latter means may employ computer punch cards or other records that have been produced to give desired color pattern effects.

At the inlet side of the dye head, in Figs. 1 and 2, the yarn 29 is shown as not being impregnated with dye. On the outlet side, beyond the chamber 26, the yarn is shown with lines indicating different colors to provide the same with a variegated appearance. It will be clear that the yarns, along different longitudinal portions thereof, will receive different colored dyes for different periods of time, whereby some of the dyed por tions are longer than the others, according to the color pattern to be achieved when weaving a carpet or other such textile fabric with said yarns.

In Fig. 4 the above is achieved by a cam 31 with sets of lobes 32 that engage arms 33 of the valves 16 to open and close said valves to effect the varied dyeing effects of portions of the yarns 29, as above explained.

In Fig. 5, the same type of operation is provided by solenoids 34 that are energized or deenergized according to the opening and closing of switches 35 in an electric circuit 36. Such switches may be manually or cam-operated, programmed to operate in desired sequence and timing, as hereinbefore indicated.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the dye head 10a is also shown with four reservoirs 11 for three dyes and a value liquid, designated l2, I3, 14 and 15, as in the dye head 10 above described. In this embodiment, the reservoirs empty into banks of respective passages 40, 41, 42 and 43 which are directed to open on a longitudinal cylindrical bore 44 preferably centrally disposed in the dye head. A rotational valve plug 45 is fitted in said bore, the same being provided with a bank of diametrally disposed and aligned ports 46 that are longitudinally spaced according to and in register with the mentioned passages.

A lower portion of said bore 44 is provided with a bank of grooves 47 from which extend passages 48 opening into a plurality of dye chambers 49 across which extends a rod 50 around which the yarns 29 are trained as they are drawn through the dye chambers 49 and through the inlet bore 27 and outlet bore 28 in the dye head.

The feed rollers 51 shown in Fig. 6 represent means for effecting feed movement of the yarns 29 preparatory to passing the same through a dryer and thence to weaving or yarn-winding means, as required.

The cock-type plug 45 is formed so the same may be rotationally positioned to bring one of the ends of the ports 46 therein into communication with the grooves 47 while the opposite ends of said ports are selectively in register with the passages 40, 41, 42 or 43. Such positioning of the plug 45 may be effected by a solenoid 52, connected by linkage 53 to an arm 54 on a shaft or spindle 55 extending from an end of plug 45. The program unit shown in the electric line serving said solenoid is representative of means to rotationally bring the ports in the valve plug 45 into register with a selected one of said passages to dye the yarns 29 in variegated manner, as hereinabove described in connection with the embodiment of Figs. 1 to The reservoirs may be automatically replenished. One way of doing this is shown in Fig. 6, wherein a storage tank 56 with a discharge spout 57 is operated by a-valve 58 to supply its contents to one of the reservoirs 11. In case, the tank 56 is shown as serving reservoir 15. It will be clear that each of the other reservoirs l2, l3 and 14 may be similarly served by a separate tank of dye or value fluid, as the case may be.

Each of the reservoirs is provided with float 59 which, through suitable linkage 60 or the like, opens and closes valve 58 according to the level of the float 59.

In this manner, the operation may be carried out in a continuous manner, since the tanks 56 may be refilled on a timeto-time basis without affecting the reservoirs, regardless of the greater or lesser supply demand of the different colors.

The means 56 to 60 may, without change, be incorporated as part of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

While the foregoing has illustrated and described what are now contemplated to be the best modes of carrying out the invention, the constructions are, of course, subject to modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

lclaim:

l. Yarn-dyeing apparatus comprising:

a dye head,

a plurality of reservoirs, each holding a differently colored liquid dye,

flow-controlling valve means for selectively controlling flow of liquid dye from said reservoirs,

a bank of passages receptive of liquid dye released by the valve means from each said reservoir,

a bank of dye chambers for receiving such released liquid, each chamber of said bank thereof being connected to each respective passage of said bank of passages, and

a bank of generally transverse yarn-guiding inlet and outlet bores for guiding a plurality of yarns moving transversely through said bank of dye chambers to be dyed by the liquid dye occupying the dye chambers.

2. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 provided with means to operate the flow-controlling valve means to vary the flow from each respective reservoir of the plurality thereof, whereby the liquid dye received by the bank of dye chambers is of the color of the dye released by the valve means ad, accordingly, dyes lon itudinal portions of the plurality of yarns that are moving t rough the dye chambers the color of the liquid dye in said chambers.

3. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flow-controlling valve means of at least two of the plurality of reservoirs are adapted to be simultaneously operated to provide concurrent flow from said two reservoirs to the dye chambers to effect dyeing of the yarns with the mixture of liquid dyes reaching said chambers.

4. Yarn dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 in which:

the flow-controlling means comprises a cock-type plug provided with a bank of aligned transverse ports, and rotationally adjustable in a bore in said dye head,

a bank of passages extending from each reservoir of the plurality thereof to said bore in communication with the ports in the plug according to the rotationally adjusted position of the plug and said bore being provided with grooves into which the ports in the plug discharge in all adjusted positions of the plug, and

said grooves being open to and discharging into the bank of passages and therefrom into the respective dye chambers.

5. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flow-controlling means comprises a valve positioned to control flow from each respective reservoir, each said valve discharging into said bank of passages, and therefrom in the respective dye chambers.

6. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 5 in which each of the bank of passages receptive of the liquid dye released by each said valve is connected to a common passage for conducting due to the mentioned bank of dye chambers.

7. Yarn dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 in which a liquid dye-replenishing tank is provided for each of said plurality of reservoirs, and

means is provided for releasing dye from each tank to its respective reservoir upon lowering the level of liquid dye in said reservoir.

8. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 7 in which the dye-releasing means comprises:

a valve controlling flow from each tank,

a float in each reservoir responsive in its position according to the level of dye in the respective reservoir, and

means controlled by each float and connected to the flowcontrolling valve of each respective tank to open and close said valves according to the level of dye in said reservoirs. 

2. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 provided with means to operate the flow-controlling valve means to vary the flow from each respective reservoir of the plurality thereof, whereby the liquid dye received by the bank of dye chambers is of the color of the dye released by the valve means ad, accordingly, dyes longitudinal portions of the plurality of yarns that are moving through the dye chambers the color of the liquid dye in said chambers.
 3. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flow-controlling valve means of at least two of the plurality of reservoirs are adapted to be simultaneously operated to provide concurrent flow from said two reservoirs to the dye chambers to effect dyeing of the yarns with the mixture of liquid dyes reaching said chambers.
 4. Yarn dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 in which: the flow-controlling means comprises a cock-type plug provided with a bank of aligned transverse ports, and rotationally adjustable in a bore in said dye head, a bank of passages extending from each reservoir of the plurality thereof to said bore in communication with the ports in the plug according to the rotationally adjusted position of the plug and said bore being provided with grooves into which the ports in the plug discharge in all adjusted positions of the plug, and said grooves being open to and discharging into the bank of passages and therefrom into the respective dye chambers.
 5. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 in which the flow-controlling means comprises a valve positioned to control flow from each respective reservoir, each said valve discharging into said bank of passages, and therefrom in the respective dye chambers.
 6. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 5 in which each of the bank of passages receptive of the liquid dye released by each said valve is connected to a common passage for conducting due to the mentioned bank of dye chambers.
 7. Yarn dyeing apparatus according to claim 1 in which a liquid dye-replenishing tank is provided for each of said plurality of reservoirs, and means is provided for releasing dye from each tank to its respective reservoir upon lowering the level of liquid dye in said reservoir.
 8. Yarn-dyeing apparatus according to claim 7 in which the dye-releasing means comprises: a valve controlling flow from each tank, a float in each reservoir responsive in its position according to the level of dye in the respective reservoir, and means controlled by each float and connected to the flow-controlling valve of each respective tank to open and close said valves according to the level of dye in said reservoirs. 